Ikea Goodies

Hello everyone.  How has your week been so far?  I hope the sun is shining where you are.  It's sunny here with blue skies, but it is cold.  Thankfully, we don't have the wind like yesterday, because the temperature is actually colder today.

Do you remember I mentioned way back in January about out little trip to the Ikea store in Charlotte, N.C.?  That was a fun, albeit rushed, trip and I hope to go back before too long.  There's something there that I need to get for my mom and maybe our son.

I wanted to show you my stash from the shopping trip.  :)  I was really amazed at their prices, so I did some impulse buying that day.  I think they were all good deals though, so I don't feel too badly about it.

Okay, first up is this embroidered pillow -- I love it!  The pillow is down-filled, and the removable cover is machine-washable.  

Here's a closeup of the stitching.  I love crewel embroidery; my mom used to do it when I was growing up.  This pillow was actually the most expensive item I purchased at $19.99.

I couldn't resist these pretty paper napkins; they also had matching tea towels in the kitchen section.

  
A nifty scarf organizer for the closet.  I was excited to find this because I have several scarves, and this will free up a whole dresser drawer for me now.  :)

I thought this little lantern was so pretty -- love the etched stars on the glass panes.  I put a small, battery-operated candle inside, and it's really cozy at night.

This tray is one of my favorite Ikea finds; I know I'm going to enjoy using it!

Here's a closeup of the pierced rim on the tray.

Last, but not least, I got four of these.  I think they're supposed to be candle trays, but I plan to use them as plate chargers for tablescapes.  I've seen them used that way on other blogs, but they also make really pretty candle trays.  The funny thing is, this is what I really went to Ikea to buy (and a small bookcase for our son) and I came home with all this other stuff, too.  That Christmas money was burning a hole in my pocket apparently.  ;)  We also came home sans bookcase.  My hubby bought some hardwood plywood this past weekend at Habitat ReStore to make a bookcase for Will.

I also got some nifty measuring cups and cork trivets which I didn't take pictures of.  We even got a few edibles there.  :)  We got hungry just before leaving (we didn't eat lunch there) so we got a few chocolate bars for the road.  Yep, I would say the marketing people at Ikea certainly have our number.

I'm probably one of the last people in blogland to make the Ikea pilgrimage.  What is your favorite thing about the Ikea store?  Thanks so much for your visit -- I love to hear from you!  Have a great day!

Denise